Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species is highly dependent on intact lowland forests in the southern Philippines, with evidence from remote sensing data that this continues to be lost rapidly for timber extraction and conversion to plantations. Accordingly, this species is suspected to be declining rapidly, and it is therefore listed as Vulnerable.
Population justification
Population size not estimated, but may be moderately small given its apparent scarcity. Described by Allen (2020) as scarce and eBird (2024) find this species to be among the least regularly encountered of Mindanao lowland endemics.
Trend justification
Direct population trend data are lacking for this species although it is considered to be highly forest-dependent notwithstanding the fact it has occasionally been observed feeding over degraded landscapes (Allen 2020). Over the past 10 years forest cover within its range has reduced by c. 19-26% (Global Forest Watch 2024, based on data from Hansen et al. [2013] and methods therein), depending on the elevational thresholds set (this species is mostly found <400 m). These figures also do not account for additional impacts of selective logging and degradation, with large tracts of forest in its range, particularly on Mindanao, now heavily modified (Grantham et al. 2020). Accordingly, forest cover trends alone are thought to represent the minimum value of likely population reduction over the same timeframe, which is suspected to be 20-35%. Annual rates of forest loss in the past five years have been similar to the years before then, such that rates of population reduction are thought likely to continue at the same rate over the next three generations, unless conservation action adequately safeguards the lowland forests upon which this species depends.
Endemic to the Philippines, where historically recorded from Samar, Leyte, Dinagat, Mindanao and Basilan. There are recent records from only Mindanao and Samar, and it may now be extinct on the other three islands although search effort has not yet been substantial enough to confirm this. On Mindanao it has been recorded recently from several sites across the island (eBird 2024), but on Samar it is known only from Samar Island Natural Park (SINP).
It inhabits dense understorey of lowland primary and secondary forest, with almost all records below 400 m. Reported to 1,000 m, occasionally (but presumably exceptionally) 1,200 m.
The main threats to this species are those associated with forest loss, including agricultural expansion, logging, plantations (particularly rubber) and locally mining. Combined, these have resulted in moderately rapid rates of forest cover loss, equivalent to c. 19-26% over the past three generations (Global Forest Watch 2024, based on data from Hansen et al. [2013] and methods therein) and additive impacts caused by selective logging and other forms of forest modification, which has left lowland Philippines forests heavily degraded (Grantham et al. 2020).
Conservation Actions Underway
No targeted conservation actions are known for this species, but it occurs in numerous protected areas.
Conservation Actions Proposed
Identify and survey remaining lowland forest tracts on Samar, Leyte and in poorly known areas of Mindanao, to establish its current distribution and population status. Propose key sites (following surveys) for urgent establishment as protected areas. Study the habitat requirements of the species, with particular reference to the extent of reliance on primary forest habitats.
12 cm. Small, heavy-billed, short-tailed, skulking flycatcher. Male has slate-grey head and upperparts with browner flight feathers. Flaring white supercilium behind eye, often concealed but prominent when singing. White underparts with indistinct grey breast-band and flanks. Pale pink legs. Female has rufescent-brown head and upperparts, brighter on uppertail-coverts. Pale buff eye-ring. White underparts washed rufous on breast and flanks. Similar spp. Male similar to female Little Pied Flycatcher F. westermanni but differs in darker upperparts, supercilium, habits and behaviour. Female similar to Cryptic Flycatcher F. crypta which lacks an eye-ring. Voice Quiet, high-pitched, descending three-note call. Song comprises beautiful, watery, warbling phrases.
Text account compilers
Berryman, A., Derhé, M., Benstead, P., Gilroy, J.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Little Slaty Flycatcher Ficedula basilanica. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/little-slaty-flycatcher-ficedula-basilanica on 23/12/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 23/12/2024.